Spring washers occupy a different role in a fastened assembly than flat washers. Where a flat washer distributes load across a bearing surface, a spring washer is engineered to deform under load and push back, maintaining tension in the joint as conditions change. This makes spring washers a common solution wherever vibration, thermal cycling, or settling could otherwise allow a fastener to loosen over time.
This guide covers the spring washer configurations manufactured by Superior Washer: Belleville washers, curved spring washers, and three-wave spring washers. It also covers the materials used in spring washer production, how spring washers compare to flat washers, and the industrial environments where spring washers are commonly found.
Editor's Note: The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as engineering, design, material selection, or application-specific guidance. Material requirements and specifications vary by application and should be evaluated according to individual project requirements.
What Is a Spring Washer?
A spring washer is a washer engineered to act as a spring within a fastened assembly rather than a simple flat bearing surface. Instead of remaining rigid under load, a spring washer deflects a controlled amount when compressed between a fastener head (or nut) and the mating surface, storing mechanical energy in the process.
That stored energy is what gives spring washers their function. As a joint experiences vibration, thermal expansion and contraction, or minor settling over time, the spring washer continues to exert force on the fastener, helping the assembly retain tension that might otherwise be lost. This is a fundamental difference from a flat washer, which spreads clamping load over a wider bearing area but does not itself store or release energy.
Spring washers are commonly found in fastening systems where maintaining consistent preload matters as much as, or more than, maximizing bearing surface, such as assemblies subject to vibration, cyclic loading, or dimensional changes from temperature.
Common Types of Spring Washers
Superior Washer manufactures spring washers in three configurations, each suited to different spring force and space requirements.
Belleville Washers
Belleville washers are conical disc springs: washer-shaped components formed into a cone rather than a flat plane. When compressed, the cone shape flattens, generating spring force. Belleville washers are known for delivering strong spring force in a compact, low-profile design.
Load and deflection characteristics of a Belleville washer are determined by the washer's dimensions, thickness, and cone angle. Belleville washers can be used individually or stacked in various configurations, in parallel, in series, or a combination of both, to adjust the total spring force and deflection of an assembly.
See the Belleville washers collection.
Curved Spring Washers
Curved spring washers have a simple, single-wave curved profile, providing a lighter spring force than a Belleville washer in a similarly compact form. This makes them suited to assemblies where light spring loading is needed, such as compensating for minor variation in component thickness or takeup on a fastener.
Their curved, single-wave design keeps them thin and space-efficient, commonly found in assemblies where axial clearance is limited.
See the curved spring washers collection.
Three-Wave Spring Washers
Three-wave spring washers use a triple-wave profile to generate spring force, providing a more uniform, evenly distributed load than a single curved wave washer in a similarly compact footprint.
This design is commonly found in applications requiring consistent preload distribution and vibration dampening within tight axial space constraints, such as bearing retention and shaft assemblies.
See the three-wave spring washers collection.
Spring Washer Materials
Superior Washer manufactures spring washers in two material options. Material and temper both play a role in spring washer performance: the material contributes to corrosion resistance and general durability, while the temper, the hardness state of the metal, determines whether the washer can develop and hold the spring characteristics required to function as a spring washer rather than simply deforming under load.
301/302/304 Stainless Steel (Full Hard)
Spring washers manufactured in 301, 302, and 304 stainless steel use the full hard (FH) temper. Full hard temper provides the spring characteristics required for spring washer performance. 301/302/304 full hard stainless steel is corrosion resistant, suitable for environments where moisture and mild chemical exposure are present. These grades are commonly found in industrial equipment, electronics, and assemblies requiring both spring performance and corrosion resistance.
High Carbon Steel (Heat Treated)
High carbon steel spring washers are heat treated to develop the hardness and spring properties required for spring washer performance. Heat treatment is the process that gives carbon steel spring washers their load-bearing and spring characteristics.
Heat treated high carbon steel offers high strength and durability under mechanical load. It is commonly found in heavy equipment, industrial machinery, and high-load fastening applications.
Spring Washers vs Flat Washers
Spring washers and flat washers serve different functions within a fastened assembly and are not interchangeable. Spring washers are designed to generate and maintain spring force through their formed profile, while flat washers are designed to distribute clamping load across a flat bearing surface. The table below outlines the key differences.
| Feature | Spring Washer | Flat Washer |
| Design | Conical, curved, or wave-formed profile | Flat, planar disc |
| Primary Function | Maintains tension and spring force within an assembly | Distributes clamping load across a bearing surface |
| Load Distribution | Concentrated at contact points defined by the washer's formed profile | Spread evenly across the full washer surface |
| Spring Force | Generates and maintains spring force as the assembly experiences vibration or movement | Provides no spring force; remains rigid under load |
| Common Industrial Uses | Assemblies subject to vibration, thermal cycling, or preload retention requirements | General-purpose load distribution and surface protection |
For more on flat washer types, materials, and sizing, see our companion article, Flat Washer Types Explained, or browse the washers collection.
Common Industrial Uses for Spring Washers
Spring washers are used across a range of industrial sectors, generally wherever an assembly needs to maintain tension despite vibration, thermal cycling, or minor dimensional changes over time.
Manufacturing Equipment
Spring washers are commonly found in manufacturing equipment, particularly in assemblies subject to continuous operation and vibration, where maintaining fastener tension over time supports consistent equipment performance.
Heavy Machinery
Heavy machinery assemblies, including those subject to high mechanical load and cyclic stress, commonly incorporate spring washers to help maintain joint tension under demanding operating conditions.
Transportation Equipment
Transportation equipment, including automotive and other vehicle assemblies, commonly uses spring washers in fastening systems subject to vibration and thermal cycling during operation.
Electrical and Electronic Assemblies
Electrical and electronic assemblies commonly use spring washers, particularly Belleville and curved configurations, where compact spring force and preload retention are relevant within a limited assembly space.
Maintenance and Repair Operations
Maintenance and repair operations commonly rely on spring washers to help restore tension in fastened joints during servicing, particularly in assemblies where vibration or thermal cycling has affected fastener preload over time.
Superior Washer also supports OEM and high-volume manufacturing programs requiring spring washers in non-standard dimensions or tight tolerances. Request a quote to discuss your requirements.
Precision Manufacturing and Material Quality
Spring washer performance depends on dimensional consistency as much as material selection. Because spring washers function through controlled deflection, variation in thickness, cone angle, or wave height can change the load a washer generates at a given deflection, which affects how consistently an assembly retains tension.
Superior Washer's manufacturing processes are built around maintaining dimensional consistency and material quality across production runs, supporting the repeatability that OEM and high-volume manufacturing programs require. Quality control processes are applied throughout production to help ensure spring washers perform consistently from the first part in a run to the last.
Learn more about our manufacturing capabilities.
Sourcing Spring Washers from a U.S. Manufacturer
Spring washers maintain tension within a fastened assembly by storing and releasing mechanical energy under load, a function flat washers are not designed to perform. Superior Washer manufactures Belleville washers, curved spring washers, and three-wave spring washers in 301/302/304 full hard stainless steel and heat treated high carbon steel, supporting applications where vibration resistance, preload retention, and dimensional consistency are relevant considerations.
Understanding the differences between spring washer configurations, materials, and load characteristics is a useful starting point when sourcing components for a fastening system. Contact our team to discuss your spring washer requirements, or request a quote to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about spring washers.
What is a spring washer?
A spring washer is a washer engineered to deform under load and generate spring force within a fastened assembly, helping maintain tension as the assembly experiences vibration, thermal cycling, or settling over time.
How does a spring washer work?
A spring washer works by deflecting a controlled amount when compressed between a fastener and the mating surface. The resulting spring force continues to act on the fastener, helping the joint retain tension that might otherwise be lost to vibration or thermal change.
What are the different types of spring washers?
Superior Washer manufactures three spring washer configurations: Belleville washers (conical disc springs), curved spring washers (single-wave profile), and three-wave spring washers (triple-wave profile). Each offers a different balance of spring force, deflection, and space efficiency.
What is the difference between a spring washer and a flat washer?
A spring washer is designed to generate spring force and maintain tension within an assembly, while a flat washer is designed to distribute clamping load across a bearing surface. Spring washers deform in a controlled way under load; flat washers remain rigid.
What materials are spring washers commonly made from?
Superior Washer manufactures spring washers in 301/302/304 stainless steel (full hard temper) and heat treated high carbon steel. Full hard temper and heat treatment are both processes that give these materials the spring characteristics required for spring washer performance.
What is a Belleville washer?
A Belleville washer is a conical disc spring. Its cone-shaped profile flattens under compression, generating spring force in a compact, low-profile design. Belleville washers can be used individually or stacked to adjust total spring force and deflection.
What is a three-wave spring washer?
A three-wave spring washer uses a triple-wave profile to generate a uniform spring force in a compact footprint, commonly found in applications requiring consistent preload distribution and vibration dampening within limited axial space.